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The Abilene ISD Board of Trustees held its workshop meeting Thursday, April 3, followed by its regular meeting Monday, April 7. All meetings are held at the AISD administration building located at 241 Pine St., and the community is welcome to attend.
Teaching Minute | 10:30
Board President Angie Wiley introduced a new episode of the Teaching Minute video series, which highlights exemplary teaching in AISD schools. This month’s episode features Madison Middle School’s Jennifer Mankser and her application of TEKS Readiness Standard ELA 8.6B. In her lesson, students reviewed the difference between a short constructed response and an extended constructed response, in order to demonstrate understanding of a concept or topic.
Recognitions | 13:13
AHS State Swimmer and Diver
Lucas Lee, a junior at ATEMS and Abilene High School athlete, was recognized for qualifying for the state swim and dive meet in Austin this spring. Lucas is the first male diver in Abilene ISD history to qualify for state.
Read more about Lucas’s journey here.
Teacher Incentive Allotment Designees
Ninety-two Abilene ISD teachers were recognized for their outstanding classroom performance through the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) program. As part of the program, these Master, Exemplary, or Recognized teachers will receive awards ranging from $4,564 to $20,667 annually over the five-year designation period.
Click here for a full list of designees and more information about the TIA.
Employee Award Recipients
Six AISD employees were recognized for earning an AISD Employee Award. These awards recognize the incredible work happening across the district by educators and staff who exemplify the AISD’s strategic priorities.
Click here for a full list of award winners and photos from the prize patrol.
Purchasing Award of Merit
Abilene ISD was one of 80 school districts across Texas honored with an Award of Merit for Purchasing Operations by the Texas Association of School Business Officials (TASBO). This is the second year in a row AISD has received the award.
Student Nutrition Report | 42:30
The AISD Student Nutrition Department has seen an increase in school meals served in 2025-26 and is focusing on expanding menu variety next year. Director of Student Nutrition Kandace Grenwelge shared an update on the department’s work to expand food offerings, provide more health education to students and families, and enhance the department’s fiscal responsibility. These initiatives led to new menu additions in school menus next year like taco crisps, sweet potato fries, more fresh fruits and vegetables, and more options for specialty diets.
Mrs. Grenwelge also announced that AISD will provide its free Summer Meals program again this year, with new sites at the Mall of Abilene, the Abilene Zoo, and local splash pads. Visit www.abileneisd.org/summermeals for more information.
Curriculum and Instruction Update | 54: 07
Associate Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Patti Blue shared updates on current projects, summer learning plans, and preparations for the 2025-26 school year.
Planning and implementation is underway for the $1.7 million in grant funds AISD recently received from the Texas Education Agency. These grants include funds to launch innovative new learning models at Bowie, Purcell, and Ward Elementary. Work also continues on 2024-25 grants, including Mann Middle School’s transition to a STEAM-focused campus.
Mrs. Blue also shared that AISD is refining its elementary summer school model to better support student growth. Summer Professional Learning opportunities for teachers will be open for registration beginning April 8.
Building a Collaborative Culture Report | 1:10:12
AISD is working to improve internal processes with a strong focus on customer service. Deputy Superintendent Dr. Joe Waldron highlighted cross-department collaboration as a key driver of positive change for students, families, and staff. Recent updates include a more efficient registration and enrollment process, enhanced student ID cards to better support students who travel between campuses, ride the bus, or purchase a la carte menu items in the cafeteria, and clearer pathways for community partnerships.
Action Items | 1:22:48
Month of the Military Child Proclamation: The Board of Trustees approved a proclamation in support of military families and recognizing April as the Month of the Military Child. The proclamation states the district’s commitment to meeting the unique needs of military children and making every effort to provide military-connected families with the resources they need in order to succeed in Abilene and AISD schools. Click here to read the proclamation. The Board was joined by members of the AISD military-connected community, including:
Lt. Col Nathaniel White and wife Tasha, who is a substitute teacher in AISD, and their sons Colton White (1st grader at Dyess Elementary) and Wesley White (pre-k student at Long Early Learning Center)
Technical Sergeant Adam Sneve and wife Yazmine, who serves as secretary at Dyess Elementary, and their youngest son Elliot Sneve (3rd grader a Dyess)
Master Sergeant Justin Hibbard and wife Tiffany, who is a P.E. teacher at Dyess Elementary, and their daughter Arabella (2nd-grader at Dyess)
Mann Middle School Renaming: The Board of Trustees approved the renaming of Mann Middle School to Mann STEAM Academy following a presentation by Principal Chad Drake. He shared progress on the school’s redesign, which includes new guiding documents, expanded Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics electives, and the intentional integration of the arts. The shift to a STEAM model is designed to foster both critical and creative thinking in students as a more innovative and well-rounded learning experience.
Selection of Auditor and Delegation of Authority to Negotiate Audit Service Agreement:
The Board of Trustees approved the selection of Eide Bailly as the district’s financial auditor and delegated authority to the superintendent or designee to negotiate, finalize, and execute a contract. A longtime partner of the district, Eide Bailly has provided audit services to AISD for over a decade and brings extensive experience working with similarly sized school systems.
The next Board workshop will take place Thursday, May 1, followed by te regular meeting Monday, May 5.